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This boy scout troop that went to Disney land in the early 1960's must have had a lot of fun. In those days before computers and all the many new electronic devices, youngsters were less sophisticated.

Reviewer:HatboxGhost
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July 23, 2006 Subject:
Date of this film

The Haunted Mansion show building is up, but the skyway buckets are still round-shaped. This film was taken between 1963 and 1965.

It is a 12 and a half minute silent home movie of a cub scout troop visit to the Happiest Place on Earth

I'm guessing it is around 1963 because of several clues, including the Mark V Autopia car. I'm puzzled, though because there is a glimpse of the awnings that should be shielding Hobbyland, but with benches rather than Hobbyland's counters. Hobbyland lasted to 1966, I thought, but the Mark V Autopia went away in 65. Any corrections to this and help dating the film will be appreciated.

Shot list (If I misidentify something, let me know)

The scouts waving at the camera in front of the entrance
Going through ticket booths
Meeting the White Rabbit
Banner above Main Street "Welcome Boy Scouts of America"
Band Marching down Main Street led by Mickey, who then runs around Town
Square
Vesey Walker conducting the band in Town Square
A short pan across Tomorrowland (Monorail, Submarine Voyage sign, Skyway,
the mysterious awnings)
South End of Tom Sawyer Island as viewed from the Mark Twain, empty Haunted
Mansion visible above trees
Keelboat and Columbia
Saluting Indian on Horse
Eagle Dance at the Ceremonial Dance Circle
Mark V Autopia
Band in Town Square again
Dumbo (from the Skyway)
Timothy Mouse in center of Dumbo with whip
Big Bad Wolf and Three Little Pigs
Swinging Bridge on Tom Sawyer Island
Submarine Lagoon, Matterhorn, Monorail Track seen from moving Monorail
Yacht Bar, Monorail coming in front of Matterhorn while riding Skyway toward
Matterhorn
Submarine in Lagoon from Skyway
Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship Restaurant from Skyway
Teacups from Skyway
Teacups from ground level
Sub entering waterfall tunnel
Rainbow Ridge Buildings
Pack Mules
Mine Train coming into station
Mine Train leaving station past Mules
Columbia approaching dock (Mine Train visible behind it)
Mark Twain sailing away from dock, Tom Sawyer raft passing behind it
Indian Village
Waterfalls (Big Thunder?)
Canoe (obviously right behind the Mark Twain as the camera is on the Mark
Twain)
Waterfalls again
Fireworks (not bad for a 60s home movie camera!)

This is a home movie of a Cub Scout trip to Disneyland during the 60s. The rawness of it gives you a real sense of what a visit to the place must have been like back then. Most of it doesn't look that much fun, but everybody is smiling, so what do I know? I do like the dorky-looking car ride and the spinning teacups, though.
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: **. Weirdness: **. Historical Interest: ****. Overall Rating: ***.

In this fascinating time warp, we see the D park circa late 60's early 70's I believe. It seems to be of Anaheim. Look! They still had the skyrides! Tom Sawyer's rafts! The familiar characters are there as well, the dumb dog, the well dressed mouse, the short gnomed men, etc etc. Surely a find for many people who like the D memorabilia.